Hairstylists
Is it just me or does everyone else have questions about just how much to talk to hairstylists? I love Zenko, my stylist from Manchester, UK. Maybe it's his crazy accent. Maybe it's his quirky personality. Maybe it's his talent for taming the wild beast that is my hair.
Last week, I was struck by the same epiphany I have every 6-8 weeks! TIME FOR A HAIRCUT. My hair reaches this critical mass that sends waves of panic through my body as I live in fear that a talent scout will try to recruit me as a Donald King impersonator or that a murder of crows will ordain my do as a bonifide nesting ground (yes, it's "murder" not "flock." Weird, eh?)
Anyway, as I sit in his chair, I did what I always do with any stylist--I fret over just how much to gab. Do those silent pauses imply disdain, leveling a deep blow to his self-esteem or are they respites of peace and tranquility that spare him the annoyance of yet another superficial conversation requiring him to come up with a suck-uppy reply? Does he need that quiet to keep his mind focused lest I lose an ear or two? Will he think I'm a snob if I stay quiet? Will he think I'm a bore if I yak?
One day, I'll get up the courage to ask him but til then, I usually strive for meaningful topics: asking him about his health like has he had his prostate checked recently (he really appreciates questions like this one) or discussing childrearing philosophies (which in his case, as he is childless, involves doggy discipling and nephew neck-wringing.)
In the end, all everyone wants is love and acceptance. So as I, in my spastic quasi-dyslexic way, try to wield the hand mirror to give the back of my head a final inspection (as per his insistence), I can tell by his facial expression that the beam of joy (and yes, relief) in my eyes is all the conversation he needs.